“Oh, my God, Flash,” I moan, as my sweat-soaked skin slides against the fabric of the lounger. “Why? Why are women allowed to be pregnant during the summer? This is like a special ring of hell, just for those of us brave enough to carry children in July in the South. Do you understand that, Flash? Why did we decide to do this?”

His answering chuckle makes me want to hit him, but then I glance over at him on the lounger beside me. His chiseled body, gleaming a deep bronze from the summer sun, on display in nothing but a pair of black swim trunks.

Jesus, he’s sexy. I’m a lucky woman. I should stop complaining about being pregnant in the summer, because that’s my view.

Flash’s mouth tips up in his crooked smile as he glances over at me. One big hand stretches out to clasp my own, and he tugs until my body is pressed against his in the double lounge chair. “We didn’t decide, baby. The decision was made for us, and I’m damn glad it was.”

His arm curls around me, and despite the heat, I snuggle into his side. There will never be a time that I don’t want to be close to Flash. He’s my addiction, and it’s one I don’t ever want to quit.

“What time is everyone coming by for the cookout?” he asks, his voice against my ear making me shiver, even in ninety-degree heat.

“Um, Brantley and Axel will probably be here early.” Separately, of course, since my stubborn best friend can’t admit that she’s crazy about Flash’s brother. “Everyone else will get here around four.”

Flash presses the button on his watch and his smirk grows wider and darker when it speaks: “One-oh-five.”

“Looks like there’s plenty of time for me to cool you off.” Grabbing the glass from the table beside him, he tips it toward his lips and gathers an ice cube in his mouth.

My breath leaves me as he flips me onto my back and uses his knee to spread my legs wide. I glance around, nervous butterflies mixing with the anticipation that I feel whenever I know Flash’s hands and mouth will be on me.

It wasn’t long after leaving the hospital in February that Flash and I decided we wanted to raise this baby together. We made the decision to sell the house I shared with Trenton, and I moved into the place that Flash knows best; his home. Truthfully, I was ready to let go of the memories that caused me so much pain on a daily basis. Now, when I remember Trenton or Danté, with Flash or with Brantley or my parents, the memories don’t make me so sad. I can talk about them without falling apart, and planning for this new baby on the way with Flash has been a huge part of that healing process.

It took over a month, but when Flash finally told me that I’d flatlined on the operating table that day, everything that happened in my mind—that I thought was a dream—clicked into focus. I told him everything, but only him. That last goodbye with Trenton was the thing that allowed me to move on with my life. The push I’d needed to finally let them go and believe that they were together, and that they’re happy.

“There you go,” Flash whispers as he slides down my body. “Acting shy again. No one can see you, Arden. You’re all mine, and you’re safe with me. You know that, right?”

I nod, my eyes never leaving him as he finally presses his full lips to my inner thigh. I suck in a harsh breath, my heartrate skyrocketing in response to his touch.

“That’s it, sweetheart,” he affirms. “Take a breath for me. That’s why I had this pool put in back here. So you can relax, even with the heat.”

My eyes flit toward the rectangular pool lying in the gorgeous setting of our backyard.

“Yeah.” My fingers clutch at his bare shoulders as his hands slide my bikini bottoms down over my hips. “I’m definitely feeling relaxed.”

Flash pushes my knees up until my feet are resting on his shoulders. Then he dips his head forward, finding my slick folds with his tongue. My muscles clench tight, and then he slides what’s left of his ice cube inside me.

“Oh, God,” I moan, my hips writhing. “Please, Flash.”

His fingers follow the cube of ice, disappearing inside me. “Please what, Bunny?”

Knowing what he wants to hear, and knowing he’ll continue with this delicious torture until he does, I gasp out the words, “Please make me come.”

His growl is the only answer I receive before his tongue finds my clit, swirling slowly around the swollen bundle of nerves. Driving me wild until I’m thrusting against his face, whimpers pouring out of my mouth like prayers.

“Yes, Flash…oh, God…”

He removes his fingers and his tongue, and before I can register what’s happening, he’s switched our positions, pulling me on top of him. With frantic fingers, I grab hold of his swim trunks and tug them down, almost humming with ecstasy when his cock springs free. He juts out toward me, so perfectly long and thick, and my mouth waters at the sight of him.

“You see what I did there, Bunny?” One hand resting behind his head, his smile is far too pleased.

I narrow my eyes, distracted. “What?”

He grins. “I shared. Best friend ever.”

My mouth drops open, and in response, I grip him in my fist and position myself over him. Dropping down, I take him inside me with one grind, and his hands fly to my hips as I rock forward.

“Fuck,” he growls.

“What were you saying?” I rasp, my head falling back as I circle my hips slowly.

He doesn’t answer; instead, he finds the straps of my bikini top and unties them, letting the fabric fall free from my breasts. He weighs them in his hands, pushing them together before sitting up and sucking a nipple into his mouth.

“Oh…” I gasp. “My God.”

I ride him hard and fast, feeling the pleasure inside me rise again as he meets me thrust for thrust. We don’t need any more words as we find our rhythm, the pace that drives us both toward the cliff that we always jump over together.

And when I fall?

There’s never a doubt in my mind that this man will catch me.